After grabbing a muffin and coffee from the coffee shop, Reid hurried over to the lot where his car was parked, intending to take it in to work today instead of his usual habit of using the train. Spencer sent Melissa a text message.
So sorry I couldn't call last night! Multiple murder case solved, everything went down last night. It was after ten, Louisiana time, by the time we were done at the police station. Was pretty sure you'd be sleeping by then. Didn't get home until one a.m. I'm really sorry Melissa, I hope you're not mad at me. Love you! (this is where I'd make that little heart thing you do all the time but I have no idea how) Please understand! Love you so much, Spencer.
He read it over, hit send and thought Oh geez, I wrote a novel. I'm certifiable, and considered, briefly, sending her that thought in a text message as well. Ten minutes went by and he had no reply. Hoping the silence was nothing more than her being busy, he started the car's engine and set off to the mall to complete the first of several errands for the morning. As he parked the car a few minutes later, his cell sounded an alert. Anxiously, he pulled the phone from a pocket and was relieved and a little nervous about its contents. Swiping the touchscreen, the message opened up and his fears allayed.
Happy to know you're okay! I'll admit I was disappointed but I understand! You were at work. It's ok Spence! Love you bunches carat 3 is how to do the heart thing! carat3 carat3 carat3 Melissa.
He released the breath he'd been holding, relieved and sent another message.
Busy right now? Can I call you?
Almost immediately after he hit send, the phone rang.
"Hey Spence. Love you. What's up?" Melissa asked.
"I need to see you. And Anna. Can we have dinner out together tonight?"
"Oh, we'd love that, Spence. My last appointment's at three. Then I have to pick up Anna. We should be home some time after four. Is that okay?"
"Perfect," he told her, "I'll make the reservation for five."
"See you then, I have to get back to my patient now. Bye, love you!"
"Love you too," disconnecting their call, he made one to the restaurant and spoke at length with the chief waiter about arrangements for that evening, then started his car and set out to complete the rest of the errands he'd set out for himself.
He still managed to get to the FBI office before noon.
As they waited for Hotch to arrive to begin their meeting, Morgan and Rossi both took the time to tease Reid. He waved them off and spoke to JJ in quiet undertones.
"You sure Will wouldn't mind having me as a neighbour?" he asked her.
"Oh, Spence, that would be fantastic! And there are other advantages. Anna wouldn't have to change schools. And Henry would love being near enough they could play every day."
The school issue hadn't even occurred to Spencer, and that was another positive for that particular house, he added to his mental list. The house near JJ's would make for a more difficult commute in via the DC transit, but JJ had already pointed out the two of them could drive in together, saving them both time and money overall.
"So, you've been out looking at houses then?" she asked.
He nodded, "I looked at five other ones so I could eliminate unsuitable ones before I take Anna and Melissa with me to decide."
Hotchner arrived with an enormous stack of folders in his hands and Garcia followed him into the conference room. Reid noticed she wasn't carrying the smart-board remote, just a giant cup of tea and a few more folders.
Morgan spoke first. "Don't tell me we have another case."
Rossi piped up, "I've already got my bag packed and my flight booked Aaron, please don't tell me I'm gonna hafta cancel my trip to see Joy."
Hotchner made a big production of dropping the files on the table, sighing, and turned to Garcia,
"You tell them."
There were groans all around before Hotchner finally broke out in a big grin. He gave Garcia the floor.
"Yes indeed my lovelies. Um, here's the thing. These files," she waved her hand to indicate the stack Hotch had just put on the table, "they're the files that Our Genius worked on while in the hospital. He saved all of you hours and hours. And Sir Hotch has just spent the last hour going over them with Chief Cruz. And," she paused again for dramatic effect, "They're perfect of course. Our Capitan has deigned that we can all have an early start to the weekend, thanks to the diligence of our 187," she paused again to ruffle Reid's hair, "and for that, I thank you very much." She bent down to kiss Reid on the forehead, and then, in a complete change in tone of voice, said "All except you," pointing dramatically at Morgan. She dropped the few folders she was carrying onto the table in front of Morgan. Hotch folded his arms in front of himself and stifled a laugh.
"Whoa, BabyGirl, what is this?" Morgan protested.
"This, my delinquent Chocolate Canoodler, this stack represents the incomplete files that you tried to stick the good doctor with. That was a dirty trick to perpetrate on a sick boy."
Rossi and Reid could not contain their laughter. Lewis hid her face as she exclaimed, "Busted!"
JJ spoke up, "That's very naughty of you, Agent Morgan," with the sarcastic tone of a mother catching a child with their hand in the cookie jar.
Garcia indicated she was finished and that Hotch have the last word,
"Okay, all of you can all go. I'll see you Monday morning, ten a.m. Except you Morgan, you can sit here and finish those reports. Properly."
With that, the other agents all rose and Hotch ushered them out the door, shutting it behind him; Morgan was left behind.
As Garcia headed back to her office with Hotch on her heels they watched as Reid grabbed his go-bag and headed into the men's locker room. He emerged a few minutes later, freshly showered, shaven and in crisp, clean clothes. Garcia's brow furrowed in unspoken question but she noticed Hotch give Reid an encouraging nod.
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